India, May 28 -- Siddaramaiah on Thursday informed his Cabinet colleagues that he will step down as the Karnataka chief minister, signalling the start of a leadership transition within the Congress government that is expected to elevate deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar to the top post.

According to party leaders familiar with the discussions, Siddaramaiah made the announcement during a breakfast meeting at Cauvery, the chief minister's official residence in Bengaluru, attended by Shivakumar and senior ministers, including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and HK Patil.

Security around the residence was tightened as ministers and party leaders arrived through the morning.

People aware of the meeting said Siddaramai...